From the Desk of Jordi — Your Chamber Marketing Coordinator

Hey there. I’m the resident design nerd and marketing person—one of the newer faces at the Chamber. If we haven’t met yet, I’m pulling ropes behind this here newsletter, event and promotional graphics, and our social media.

I’m also a multidisciplinary artist who’s passionate about community storytelling. Whether I’m deep in design files, scribbling ideas in a sketchbook, or hot-gluing broken glass into what I promise is a sculpture, I’m always thinking about how stories connect people. That’s why I’m really excited to share something new we’ve been cooking up: First Fridays, our Oak Park street festival series kicking off July 4th!

Picture this: Oak Park block parties buzzing with live music, local bites, pop-up vendors, and neighbors just soaking up the good vibes. First Fridays are your new monthly excuse to kick back, connect, and celebrate summer.

I had a lot of fun designing the branding and logo to feel a little rustic and relaxed—like that perfect Friday wind-down. The color palette draws from perennial sunflowers—bright and cheerful, just like the summer series itself. My favorite touch is the big gradient circle in the logo, inspired by the new moon—shining bright on a different Oak Park neighborhood each month.

Whether you’re a local business interested in joining or just looking for a fun way to spend your summer evenings, keep an eye out for First Fridays updates and come check out Chicago-Austin this Independence Day!

Cheers,

Jordi Murillo

Marketing Coordinator

OPRF Chamber of Commerce

FIRST FRIDAYS KICK OFF THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY

We're lighting up the block with food, music, and neighborhood energy—First Fridays is our new monthly street fest series, and it all starts in the Chicago-Austin District this Independence Day.

We’re still welcoming vendors, artists, and community groups to be part of the launch! Whether you want to promote your business, share a cause, sell your goods, or just connect with neighbors, this is your chance to show up and stand out. Priority is given to vendors from the Chicago-Austin and Chicago-Harlem business districts.

Let’s make some noise, build community, and kick off summer together—sign up now and help us bring First Fridays to life!

Click on any graphic to get more information about the event and to sign up.

Explore what's in store, including fun and educational activities happening throughout.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the excitement!

COMING UP THIS WEEK

PLAN FOR YOUR MONTH

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE WITH BLEND

BLEND — Oak Park’s Black & Latine Business Support Network — is more than a program. It’s a platform for building power, connection, and community among local entrepreneurs.

Through peer collaboration and expert-led conversations, BLEND supports both emerging and established business owners with the tools, insights, and relationships needed to thrive. We’re here to celebrate brilliance, amplify voices, and grow a more inclusive local economy—together.

Are you a business leader with knowledge to share?

Click the button below to learn how you can get involved as a speaker and help shape the future of entrepreneurship in Oak Park.

Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce

1101 Lake St., Suite 307, Oak Park, IL 60301

708.613.0550 | info@oprfchamber.org | www.oprfchamber.org